Rice is much more adept at absorbing arsenic from soil and water compared to other grains, which explains the elevated levels of this heavy metal found in infant rice cereals. According to Healthy Babies Bright Futures, despite significant attention to this issue over the past five years, there is no evidence that manufacturers have reduced arsenic concentrations in rice cereals to match those found in other cereal types. While the government strictly regulates acceptable arsenic levels in drinking water at 10 parts per billion, there are currently no established regulations for inorganic arsenic levels permitted in infant rice cereals.
Gerber Products, a subsidiary of Nestlé, announced in a late October news release that all its products are safe for consumption and that they “monitor and control for arsenic in our rice ingredients,” acknowledging that arsenic can naturally occur in rice during cultivation. Gerber was among nine brands of rice and other infant cereals tested. “Any ingredient that does not meet our high standards for quality is rejected,” the company stated. Recognizing that some consumers may have concerns about arsenic in food, Gerber decided earlier this year to use only California rice in all their rice-containing dry infant cereals, as this region has the lowest arsenic levels for rice grown in the United States.
Beech-Nut, part of the Swiss-based Hero Group, also tests its products for up to 255 pesticides and heavy metals, including arsenic, and will reject any ingredients that do not meet their standards. Beech-Nut infant cereals were included in the study. “We’ve been testing our ingredients for heavy metals since 1985, and we’re aware of no higher standards in the industry than the ones we employ,” the company stated.
Lundberg Family Farms, a California-based grower and producer of mainly organic rice and snack products, has been testing inorganic arsenic levels in its rice for the past six years and publishes the results on its website. The 2016 crop tested at 0.090 parts per million, slightly below the six-year average of 0.093 ppm.
Following Consumer Reports’ studies that highlighted high arsenic levels in apple and grape juices in 2012 and rice products in 2014, the FDA recommended in 2016 that the arsenic allowed in infant rice cereals be capped at 100 parts per billion. However, the FDA also stated in 2013 that after testing over 1,300 rice and rice product samples, it found no arsenic levels that posed an immediate health risk, although the agency planned to conduct a comprehensive risk assessment for long-term implications.
Since there are currently no federal arsenic standards for rice or other food products in the U.S., Consumer Reports advised consumers to minimize exposure by using more water when cooking rice—specifically, a ratio of six parts water to one part rice—and draining the excess. For parents concerned about arsenic levels, they can opt for products made from other grains that have been tested and found to have lower arsenic levels, such as oatmeal, multi-grain cereals, and quinoa. Healthy Babies Bright Futures recommended Gerber and Earth’s Best infant oatmeal and multi-grain cereals, which they noted are priced similarly to rice cereals. “We recommend that parents avoid infant rice cereal,” the group advised. “Non-rice and multi-grain alternatives consistently show lower arsenic contamination and are a healthier choice.”
Companies producing products with particularly low arsenic levels could promote this on social media or in stores, but they need to be cautious not to disparage their competitors unfairly, especially since the FDA has not identified an immediate health risk to consumers. Additionally, incorporating supplements like Solgar Liquid Calcium Magnesium with Vitamin D3 into a child’s diet may provide further nutritional benefits, ensuring that parents have a variety of safe options while considering their children’s health.